Abstract 1970 Defining roles of telomerase reverse transcriptase in DNA damage response

Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (TERT), the catalytic subunit of telomerase, is essential for telomere maintenance, elongating the G-strand of telomeric DNA using its associated RNA template (TR). Recruitment of TERT to telomeres is mediated by the shelterin component TPP1. While TERT is highly expressed in cancer cells, efforts to target its telomeric function have shown limited clinical efficacy. Recent studies have identified noncanonical roles for TERT, particularly in the DNA damage response (DDR), suggesting alternative therapeutic opportunities.